Saturday’s first match marks Match 19 of the 2026 SA20 competition. Match 19 has the Pretoria Capitals traveling to Paarl to face the Paarl Royals.
Here is a look ahead at the contest.
Paarl Royals VS Pretoria Capitals Venue: Boland Park, Paarl
Paarl Royals VS Pretoria Capitals Date: Saturday, January 10
Paarl Royals VS Pretoria Capitals Odds:
History
Two teams currently holding playoff positions meet on Saturday, with the Paarl Royals hosting the Pretoria Capitals.
The Royals are in great shape heading into Match 19. A rainout in Friday’s match between Sunrisers Eastern Cape and Durban’s Super Giants means that the Royals could go joint top with a win, and one point ahead of the Port Elizabeth side if they can squeeze out a bonus point victory.
The Royals are currently third in the table with 15 points from six games played. They have three wins, one loss, and one no result, picking up one bonus point. They are the only team to have played just five matches, at least one fewer than the other five squads.
The Pretoira Capitals come into this in the fourth and final playoff spot. This is a huge match for the Capitals. They are currently on 11 points from six matches, with two wins, three defeats, and one no result. This is one point ahead of Durban’s Super Giants (seven games played) and five ahead of MI Cape Town (six played).
A win here creates separation for that vital fourth place on the log.
Paarl Royals
The Royals’ last match against the Joburg Super Kings was cancelled due to rain. IN their last completed match, they smashed MI Cape Town by seven wickets, bowling out their opponents for 88 before embarking on an easy run chase.
David Millar has been their star bat. He has 116 runs on the season. Their bowling has been a strength. Ottniel Baartman has 11 wickets taken so far this campaign.
Pretoria Capitals
Shai Hope has been the man for the Capitals. His batting has been both measured and electric, allowing him to post 206 runs so far this year. The bowling has been varied, with several different bowlers making a difference in games. Tymal Mills has the most wickets, with five, highlighting the diversity of their attack.
Their last match was a blowout as they were crushed by Sunrisers Eastern Cape. The 10-wicket loss saw the Capitals make a defendable 176 from their 20 overs. They failed to defend that mark spectacularly, not taking a single wicket as the Sunrisers ran down the total inside 15 overs.
Best Bets
Hope is 9/2 to be the top bat. He is averaging 51.5 per innings, and his strike rate of just under 160 is exceptional. If you would rather go with a boom or bust longshot, then Sherfane Rutherford at35/2 is an option. He is striking at a wild 205.17, making 119 runs from 58 deliveries.
Baartman at 5/1 to be the top bowler is worth a look. He has struck once every eight balls on the season. Mills can be had at 39/10 if you think that the Capitals will upset the Royals in this one.
